Spotlight on the Martini
Club 4 – The 1920s
Amanda
McCabe, Alicia Dean, Kathy L Wheeler and Krysta Scott have a unique friendship.
Yes, they are all romance writers, and at different stages in their writing
careers. But every Friday night, schedules permitting, they meet at the Martini
Lounge in Edmond, Oklahoma where they chitchat, plan retreats to get away and
for just a general get away. Over a period of time the idea to create a series
of stories where the Martini Lounge would serve as a backdrop—well, as writers,
that was inevitable. So here we are with our first go at it. Welcome to 1920s
New York City where four young women run away from England excited to make
their own way in a new world.
All
four stories are now available for the pre-order price of **$0.99** until
February 26, 2015, the official release.
Rebellious:
Martini Club 4 Series – The 1920s
Amanda
McCabe
Blurb:
Can an aristocratic lady melt the cold heart of a Russian gangster?
Lady Jessica Hatton fled her high-society London debutante life for one of
investigative journalism in New York—only to be relegated to the fashion pages.
Searching for a juicy story leads her to Club 501, the city's most glamorous
speakeasy—and its handsome, mysterious owner, Frank Markov. But his past of war
and revolution puts their hearts—and their lives—in danger...
Excerpt:
“Do you smell that, Meggie?” Jessica Hatton cried as she leaned into the cold,
salt spray wind, her t-strap shoes perched on the lowest rung of the ship's
railing. She'd lost her hat, and the
short strands of her hair blew into her eyes, but she didn't care. England was far behind them. They had escaped.
“It
smells like freedom!” she shouted, and threw up her arms. It felt like she could fly all the way to
America.
“I
only smell old fish,” Meggie said. “Now
come down from there, Jess. If you
tumble into the drink, it will all be over before it even starts.”
Jessica
laughed and shook her head, but she did climb down. She spun around to see Meggie stretched out
on one of the deck chairs, the glossy mink collar of her coat drawn close
around her.
The
sky was grey and dismal-looking, the water not as glassy-smooth as when they
slid past Ireland yesterday and headed out to open sea. Several of the passengers had retreated to
their cabins, but Jessica couldn't stand staying inside. Not when there was so much to be seen.
“It
smells like fish and freedom,” Jessica insisted. “But we can go in now. Maybe Charlotte and Eliza will want to play
some cards or mah-jong.”
“Finally,”
Meggie grumbled as she swung her feet down to the damp deck. But her smile was broad. Jessica knew Meggie was loving it all just as
much as she was.
Bio: Amanda McCabe wrote her first
romance at the age of sixteen--a vast historical epic starring all her friends
as the characters, written secretly during algebra class (and her parents
wondered why math was not her strongest subject...)
She's
never since used algebra, but her books have been nominated for many awards,
including the RITA Award, the Romantic Times BOOK Reviews Reviewers' Choice
Award, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers Choice Award, and the Holt
Medallion. She lives in Oklahoma with a menagerie of two cats, a Pug, and
a very bossy miniature Poodle, along with far too many books.
When
not writing or reading, she loves taking dance classes, collecting cheesy
travel souvenirs, and watching the Food Network--even though she doesn't
cook.
Amazon
buy link: http://amzn.com/B00RICWBC8
Ruined: Martini Club 4 Series – The
1920s
Alicia
Dean
Blurb:
She vowed she’d be no man’s doxy, but fate had other plans...
After
the Earl of Goodwin attempts to force himself on her, housemaid Eliza Gilbert
flees England for New York, hoping to build a better life. But the land of
opportunity proves as harsh as the London docks, and she finds herself in a
situation more dreadful than the one she escaped.
Former
boxer, Vince “The Fist” Taggart dreams of marrying, having a family, and living
a quiet, peaceful life. But when a girl he's known since childhood disappears,
he heads to New York in search of her and meets Eliza, a woman with a less than
honorable reputation. Inexplicably captivated, Vince can’t force himself to
stay away, especially when he learns Eliza is the key to finding his missing
friend.
Excerpt:
Eliza lifted her gaze, then looked away when she met his eyes. They were just
too…striking, too blue. “I’m afraid you’ll have to speak to Oscar. He handles
all my transactions.” She could never have a normal outing with a man. A lump
of regret rose in her throat. She turned and started up the stairs.
Vince
caught up to her in a few steps and grabbed her arm, taking the bag from her at
the same time. “That was a lousy thing to say.”
She
opened her mouth to accuse him of going around Oscar so he didn’t have to pay.
But that was ridiculous. He hadn’t taken what he’d paid for the first time. She
lifted a hand and rubbed her forehead. His attention confused her. What was his
angle? He didn’t want sex. Did he think she was hiding something about Cynthia
and if he spent time with her he could draw it out? “What do you want from me?”
“A
picnic.”
Bio:
Alicia Dean lives in Edmond, Oklahoma. She has three grown children and a huge
network of supportive friends and family. She writes mostly contemporary
suspense and paranormal, but has also written in other genres, including a few
vintage historicals.
Other than reading and writing, her passions are Elvis Presley, MLB, NFL (she
usually works in a mention of one or all three into her stories) and watching
her favorite televisions shows like Vampire Diaries, Justified, Sons of
Anarchy, Haven, The Mindy Project, and Dexter (even though it has sadly ended,
she will forever be a fan). Some of her favorite authors are Michael Connelly,
Dennis Lehane, Lee Child, Lisa Gardner, Sharon Sala, Jordan Dane, Ridley
Pearson, Joseph Finder, and Jonathan Kellerman…to name a few.
Reckless: Martini Club 4 Series – The
1920s
Kathy
L Wheeler
Blurb:
Lady Margaret turned Lady Bootlegger…
Singer
Margaret (Meggie) Montley needs money…fast. Her friend is in a dire situation
with nowhere to turn. While Meggie is on the brink of stardom, it’s not soon
enough to save her friend.
Harry
Dempsey is out to avenge the deaths of his father and brother at the hands of a
ruthless gangster. But trouble spirals out of control when Meggie Montley shows
up the night he meets his nemesis to settle the score. Saving the impetuous
woman from a crime lord might be easier than saving her from her own reckless
behavior.
Excerpt: Meggie launched
herself from her hiding place and threw her arms about Harry’s neck. Locked in
his muscular embrace, she rested her chin on his shoulder. His arms tightened
around her. “Oh, Harry. I came as fast as I could. Just as we’d planned.” The
words, she’d intended to carry, came out breathless.
“Fast,
huh?” The whisper was against her ear where no one else could hear, raised
goose prickles over her entire body. “Guess I’ll have to do something about
that.” He lifted his head. “What are you doing with my girl, Joe?”
Joey’s
hands flew into the air, indicating his surrender. “Sorry, Dempsey. Had no idea
she was anyone’s quiff—”
Meggie’s
cheeks burned, and she stiffened at the insult. Harry’s one arm gripped her
closer. The other shot up, jerking her body like a rag doll. She couldn’t see
Harry’s face with her own now buried in his neck, but she felt the corded
muscles contract.
Bio:
Kathy L Wheeler (also known as
Kae Elle Wheeler) writes both Contemporary and Historical Romance. She was
born in Presque Isle, Maine. How she ended up in Texas, then Oklahoma is
as much a mystery to her as anyone. She graduated from the University of
Central Oklahoma with a BA in Management Information Systems and a minor in
Vocal Music.
She
is published through The Wild Rose Press. She loves to travel. Ports
of call include a three week stint in Europe covering Madrid, Barcelona,
Avignon, Paris, Koln, Amsterdam and London. Other exciting places she’s
visited are Grand Cayman, Puerta Vallerta, Mexico, Vancouver, Canada, and
roaming from one romance writing conference to another nationwide. You
may have met her in Seattle, Dallas, San Francisco, San Diego, New York or
Atlanta. She is a member of the Oklahoma RWA Chapter, Dara, and The Beau
Monde. Kathy lives with her musically talented husband in Edmond,
Oklahoma. They have one grown daughter and one bossy cat, Carly!
Contact
info: kathy@klwheeler.com
Runaway: Martini Club 4 Series – The
1920s
Krysta
Scott
Blurb:
Can she prove her innocence before more than her dreams are destroyed?
After
escaping an arranged marriage, Lady Charlotte Leighton lands on a new shore,
determined to realize her dream of opening her own bakery. But her plans are
shattered when her former fiancé follows her to New York. Now, she finds
herself in a fight for her freedom.
Haunted
by a string of failures, Detective Felix Noble is determined to solve his
latest case. But his efforts to find a murderer are jeopardized by a forbidden
attraction to his number one suspect. While he’s certain Charlotte Leighton is
keeping secrets, instinct tells him she’s not the murderess he first believed.
Excerpt: Long thin
fingers curled around a glass and lifted it from the tray. Charli followed the
direction of the drink. Derrick Chaunce, or as the local duffs referred to him,
“Slick”, grinned, exposing yellowed teeth.
“You
… You…” Her throat closed. The rest of her diatribe wouldn’t budge.
He
winked. His thin hair slicked back in the latest fashion exaggerated the gaunt
cheekbones and sunken eyes, tinging him with an unhealthy, dilapidated look. He
gulped the whiskey. A bit of the amber liquid escaped through the gap in his
teeth and down his chin. Her stomach lurched.
“Thank
you, sweet cakes. Put it on my tab.” He skulked off.
Charli
whirled around. How did the bounder get past Tiny? Ira fumed about customers
who ran up a high tab without reconciling at the end of the night. Now she
would have to explain yet another charge added to Slick’s mounting debt. She
sighed and rolled her eyes to the heavens. The customer was always right. Even
when they were wrong.
Bio:
Krysta Scott is a family law
attorney in her false life. After years of writing and winning contests, she is
now taking the plunge into publishing. A fan of sci-fi and dark stories
surrounding people in crisis, she also enjoys way too much TV including Vampire
Diaries, Breaking Bad, and Sherlock. Runaway is her breakout story.
Amazon
buy link: http://amzn.com/B00RIFHGPC
Contact
info: http://krystascottauthor.com
Thanks for stopping by!
My
parents were conmen and I was their tool. I learned how to cheat, connive, and
charm my way out of any circumstance. But now I’m respectable...kind of. Yeah,
my life is still a lie, but that’s because I have no choice. My best friend,
who’s also my boss, needs me to lie to keep our billion-dollar charity going.
It’s complicated. 
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